The
Church that measures and lives up to this standard is unquestionably the true
Church. Therefore, regardless of how many Churches there are today, the
true Church shall stand alone by uniquely fulfilling this standard of
God. 24E.1 How
does God call people in order to be saved?
In Corinthians 1:9,
states:
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (NKJV)
What calling of God is this?
It is God's call for people to be in fellowship or union in Christ.
24E.2 How does God call people into
the fellowship or union in Christ?
The Bible answers in II Thessalonians 2:14, thus:
To this he called you through our gospel,
so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Revised
Standard)
God's call people by means of the preaching of the Gospel.
24E.3 Where can we find
those who are called by God?
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
(Colossians 3:15, NKJV)
Those who are called by God are called in one body.
24E.4 Which
is this body in which God calls for people to be in fellowship or union in
Christ?
And he is the head of the body, the church:
(Colossians 1:18, KJV)
The body is the Church — the True Church. The members of this one body or the
True
Church became such by virtue of God's calling.
Are those in the body or
Church really in union with Christ?
YES, because they are
joined to Christ being one member his body, with Christ as the head.
24E.5
What then is the Biblical standard in determining the True Church?
From the foregoing verses it is very clear, then that
the True Church is the result and fruit of God's calling.
Any church, therefore which is not the result of God's calling, is definitely
not the True Church for it is not the work of God.
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